Corebridge Financial today announced enhancements to its Max Accumulator+ III index universal life insurance product, adding new index strategies and structural changes to improve cash value outcomes. The updates are intended to provide customers with greater diversification in allocating policy value and strengthen long-term growth potential. The product now offers five index crediting strategies while maintaining built-in protections from market loss.

New Index Strategies

Corebridge introduced two new index interest crediting strategies to Max Accumulator+ III. The Nasdaq-100 strategy provides exposure to technology and growth-oriented companies. The S&P 500 High Bonus strategy includes a bonus feature designed to support accumulation in varying market conditions. These additions expand the product's ability to meet a wider range of customer needs.

Structural Improvements

The latest enhancements incorporate structural improvements compared to prior product versions. These changes are intended to strengthen long-term accumulation and help customers achieve future financial goals with increased cash value over time. The product supports tax-deferred growth and offers optional living benefits, including riders for guaranteed lifetime income and coverage for chronic illness expenses.

Policy Details

Policies are issued by American General Life Insurance Company (AGL) in Houston, TX, except in New York, where they are issued by The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York (US Life). AGL does not solicit, issue, or deliver policies in New York. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Products may not be available in all states, and features may vary by state.

Index Strategy Availability

Corebridge Financial, Inc. (NYSE: CRBG) reported more than $380 billion in assets under management and administration as of March 31, 2026. The company partners with financial professionals and institutions to provide retirement solutions and insurance products.

New research from Corebridge Financial reveals a significant disconnect between retirement aspirations and spending behaviors, as only 28% of pre-retirees and retirees report being comfortable drawing down their savings to cover living expenses. The study highlights that while 61% of respondents view retirement as a time to enjoy themselves, 50% associate retirement spending with uncertainty and 44% with anxiety. This reluctance to spend is driven largely by a fear of outliving savings, with 56% citing running out of money while alive as their primary regret compared to just 6% who fear dying with money left over.

The research identifies a substantial planning gap between the accumulation and decumulation phases of retirement. Only 29% of pre-retirees aged 55 or older have a plan for retirement account withdrawals, and merely 14% of retirees possess a detailed strategy to manage their Required Minimum Distributions. This lack of preparation contributes to cautious financial behaviors, as 38% of retirees admit to spending less than they desired to maintain the size of their nest egg. Notably, this hesitation is rarely driven by inheritance goals, as 83% of respondents do not have a specific target for leaving money behind.

Planning Drives Confidence and Satisfaction

The presence of a decumulation plan correlates strongly with financial confidence and emotional well-being. Among pre-retirees aged 55 or older, 57% with a decumulation plan express high confidence in managing spending throughout retirement, compared to only 26% without a plan. Similarly, 55% of retirees with a spending plan are highly confident, versus 29% of those without one. Respondents who are highly confident about managing retirement spending are five times more likely to find the experience "empowering" and three times more likely to find it "rewarding."

Guaranteed Income Preferences

With 60% of respondents expecting to spend at least 20 years in retirement, the study suggests a shift toward guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Nearly three-quarters of respondents believe that having guaranteed lifetime income beyond Social Security would positively impact their ability to spend on happiness. When presented with a choice, 47% of respondents preferred $60,000 per year guaranteed for life over a $1 million lump sum at age 65, which was preferred by 41%. Retirees indicated that guaranteed income would enable increased spending on travel (69%), home improvements (29%), and dining out (25%).

"Retirement is meant to be enjoyed, but many find it difficult to give themselves permission to spend the savings they've worked so hard to build," said Terri Fiedler, President of Retirement Services at Corebridge Financial. "Having a thoughtful decumulation strategy can help individuals manage complex financial decisions and feel more secure about the future." The study, conducted by Greenwald Research, surveyed 2,210 adults aged 45-79 with $100,000 or more in investable assets between October 14, 2025, and November 3, 2025.